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The Reason American Ice Cream Parlors Used to Have a Bad Reputation
The ice cream parlor has always been synonymous with a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. For older Americans, it evokes nostalgic memories of sharing a root beer float with their high school sweetheart while doo-wop played on the jukebox. For younger Americans, ice cream parlors are associated with rewards for good grades or quality time with family. Regardless of age, almost everyone can appreciate a delicious scoop of ice cream. But what many people may not know is that these frozen dairy treats weren’t always considered wholesome and innocent. In fact, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ice cream parlors had a rather dubious reputation.
The Dark Side of Ice Cream Parlors
Contrary to their current image, ice cream parlors were once considered dens of vice and immorality. It may sound like an invention of the anti-vice campaigns led by reformers like Anthony Comstock, but historical accounts indicate that ice cream shops were indeed viewed negatively by a significant portion of the population. Mental Floss reports that in the late 19th century, a man accused several New York ice cream parlors of being fronts for brothels and prostitution rings. Chicago reformers condemned ice cream parlors as immoral, along with activities such as movies, picnics, and hasty weddings. In addition, a 1909 book titled “War on the White Slave Trade” targeted foreign-owned ice cream parlors, claiming they served as recruiting stations for prostitutes.
The Origins of Suspicion
So why were ice cream parlors associated with such negative perceptions? According to historians, ice cream became associated with fears of foreign influence during this period. Since many ice cream parlors and saloons were immigrant-owned, this fueled cultural panics around the notions of “white slavery” or sex trafficking. Biased fears of incoming immigrants, combined with evolving social roles for women in the 19th century, fueled the unfounded belief that these immigrants would lure unsuspecting women into their ice cream shops and force them into sexual slavery. Fortunately, the thriving ice cream industry of the time was resilient enough to withstand these unfounded fears.
The Legacy of Ice Cream Parlors
Despite the tarnished reputation of the past, ice cream parlors managed to overcome the negative associations and establish themselves as beloved community institutions. The cultural panic and prejudicial fears that once plagued these establishments have faded, and people of all backgrounds now enjoy visiting their local ice cream parlors without such concerns. Today, ice cream parlors continue to serve as gathering places for families, friends, and individuals seeking a sweet treat to indulge in.
So the next time you step into an ice cream parlor, take a moment to appreciate its journey from a place of suspicion and scandal to one of joy and delight. Let us celebrate the resilience of these establishments and the pleasure they bring to our lives as we savor each delicious scoop and enjoy the memories they help create.